Meeting the locals: Children in China pose for a photograph with the blue 1968 Triumph 1300 on its journey

The wide variety of environments they travelled through brought particular challenges. Mr Raven said: ‘In the Gobi desert we had a bit of a problem with fuel evaporating because it was so hot.

‘I had to do a few repairs on it along the way, but only small things, and I had some spares with me in case of emergencies. Local people warmed to us when we drove through their villages.

'People thought we were mad. They said we would never make it'

Clive Raven

‘People saw the car and wanted to engage with us, coming over to shake our hands. Being in an old car, rather than a modern vehicle, we felt more connected with the world outside.’

The pair saw the Kremlin in Moscow, viewed the Terracotta Army in Xi'an and ate goats' cheese at the table of a hospitable Mongolian family.

Mr Raven said: ‘In China we were required to stick to an agreed route and we were needed an official guide with us in the back seat the whole time.

‘The forests of Laos were stunning and the people were lovely. They had very little but were happy. The sun setting over the Gobi desert is an experience I will never forget.’

Mr Raven estimated the trip cost £10,000.
At one point the couple encountered some stick-wielding men, whom they
took to be bandits, while travelling through India.

Happy trip: Mrs Raven is pictured driving in Mongolia. Despite being stuck in the car together for hours at a time, the couple say they did not argue once

Across the world: Mr Raven, a self-employed diesel plant fitter, bought the Triumph for £500 on eBay and restored it himself in preparation for their adventure. His wife is pictured with the car in Malaysia

Going global: The couple are planning on making a similar journey next year, and hope to raise money for charity on their next drive. Mr Raven is pictured driving in Laos

Mr Raven said: ‘We started to drive at night in India, because we didn't have much time left and we wanted to see so much. One night, we found ourselves travelling along a road which we were told was particularly dangerous.

‘We were the only ones on the road. Suddenly, I saw a road block of piles of tyres in the way. As we got nearer I saw it was manned by several men with sticks.

'We took it in turns driving and reading the map and we just worked as a team - people won't believe us but we didn't fight at all'

Gillian Raven

‘I just put my foot down and drove straight through. The men hit the car with their sticks, but I did not stop.’

Despite being stuck in the car together for hours at a time, the couple say they did not argue once.

‘When you take on a big challenge you can't help but unite,’ said Mrs Raven. ‘We took it in turns driving and reading the map and we just worked as a team - people won't believe us but we didn't fight at all.’

The couple are planning on making a similar journey next year, and hope to raise money for charity on their next drive.

Mr Raven said: ‘I am already missing it and I would love to go on a similar journey again - I could go again tomorrow.’